Bash & Pop

BIOGRAPHY

Bash & Pop formed in 1992 in Minneapolis, led by Tommy Stinson after the breakup of the Replacements. Stinson switched to guitar and was joined by former Replacements drummer Steve Foley, Foley's brother Kevin on bass, and guitarist Steve Brantseg. Their debut, Friday Night Is Killing Me, came out in January 1993 on Sire/Reprise, recorded with help from Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Jeff Trott of Wire Train, and other players. Reviews were mixed but pointed: AllMusic's Stewart Mason singled out the single 'Loose Ends' and the rocker 'Fast and Hard' despite calling parts of the record sloppily written. Rolling Stone's Steven Mirkin called it 'a notable debut' with 'easygoing, knockabout charm,' and Variety's Bruce Haring described it as 'a frisky little rocker propelled by Stinson's endless energy.' The band split in 1994; Stinson revived it in 2016 for the album Anything Could Happen.

WHY THEY'RE COOL

Bash & Pop capture the moment a Replacements co-founder stepped out from under Paul Westerberg's shadow and picked up guitar for the first time, assembling a scrappy crew that included his old bandmate Steve Foley on drums. Friday Night Is Killing Me drew notice for its ragged energy, with critics at Rolling Stone and Variety praising its loose charm and Stinson's restless drive even as AllMusic flagged its rough edges. That mix of unpolished spirit and genuine songcraft, later revived with a 2016 reunion album, makes them a vivid footnote in post-Replacements rock.

GEORGE'S PLAYS

George has played this artist 2 times.

PLAYED ON WOKE1

• Never Aim to Please2 PLAYS